Young adults in Santa Cruz County who have faced barriers to career entry now have a concrete pathway to paid work experience and professional development. Santa Cruz Works, in partnership with Cabrillo College and the City of Santa Cruz, has announced more than 10 paid internship opportunities with local businesses and nonprofit organizations through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Internship Opportunity Program. The initiative is specifically designed for young adults living in underserved communities, offering wages rather than the unpaid placements that often exclude those who cannot afford to work for free.
The program provides interns with 10 to 20 hours of work per week for up to six months, along with flexible schedules, mentorship from experienced supervisors, and the chance to build resumes and professional networks. All internships must conclude by June 1, 2027. Participating organizations span a wide range of fields, including technology, marketing, media, sustainability, business operations, and community services. Among the more than 10 local organizations offering positions are Clean Oceans International, GeoPulse Solutions Inc., KRML, Mission Hill Creamery, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery, and United Way of Santa Cruz County.
Eligibility is open to young adults 18 and older who live in underserved communities in Santa Cruz County, with priority given to residents of Beach Flats, Lower Ocean, Live Oak, Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley, and the Pajaro Valley. Applicants do not need extensive professional experience, and there is no cost to apply. The program is intended to help participants develop the skills, confidence, and connections necessary to enter the workforce.
The announcement matters because it addresses a persistent equity gap in career development: unpaid internships are often a prerequisite for professional jobs, but they are financially out of reach for many young people. By providing paid placements, the program allows participants to earn income while gaining experience, which can strengthen future job and college applications. The program builds on the success of its first cohort, which placed young adults with local businesses and nonprofits. Previous participants gained experience in software engineering, marketing, communications, video production, and community outreach. For example, Yuliana Morales-Galvan, a software engineering intern at Nurbli, helped improve digital tools supporting Indigenous families; Emily Ramirez developed social media and outreach skills at Clean Oceans International; and Elsa Tamayo gained marketing and communications experience at Siena House.
Young adults interested in exploring available positions can view internships and apply by visiting Santa Cruz Works - Paid Internship Opportunities. Cabrillo College students may also complete the Student Interest Form linked on the program webpage. The program is funded through a grant awarded to the City of Santa Cruz, which partnered with Santa Cruz Works to create paid employment opportunities that connect young adults from underserved communities with local employers. Launched in June 2025 with Digital NEST, the program expanded in its second cohort to include Cabrillo College as a workforce development partner. The initiative supports economic mobility, career readiness, and a stronger local workforce, with implications for reducing long-term unemployment and strengthening the regional talent pipeline.
